Kallikreins (KLKs) belong to the serine protease family of proteolytic enzymes. Predominantly expressed in the skin, a major physiological function of KLK7 is to regulate the desquamation process through proteolysis of the intercellular adhesive structures between corneocytes. KLK7 may play a role in cancer invasion and metastasis, and increased expression of this gene is associated with unfavorable prognosis and progression of several types of cancer.
